I Read What?!

So as mentioned, the book that I'm starting today is the White Dragon. As I said in my intro, I remember almost nothing about it. So this should be interesting.



So we start the book with Jaxom and N'ton, who I consider the eternal bridesmaid of this series. He's frequently mentioned, he appears to be very competent, and he accomplished more in Dragonquest than F'nor ever did, but he never, to my knowledge, gets a starring book.

That might be a blessing actually. Maybe McCaffrey won't destroy him.

So anyway, Jaxom and N'ton are bathing the dragon, Ruth. Apparently F'lar's attempt at what amounts to an arranged marriage actually succeeded because N'ton is indeed the Weyrleader of Fort.

Jaxom catches himself being a little too casual considering N'ton's rank, but N'ton doesn't seem to mind. He praises Ruth's cleanliness while being quick to clarify that he's not criticizing Jaxom's ability to take care of Ruth on his own. Apparently he'd also roped a few younger Weyr brats (one of whom is named Dorse) to help, which makes Jaxom happy. They end up too busy sweating over Ruth (who they call a "runt" and an "oversized firelizard") to torment Jaxom like they would have normally.

I know bullies suck, but really? Jaxom is both the child Lord of one of the most important Holds on the planet, AND he has a dragon. And I'm supposed to believe kids bully him? I hate to be one of those adults, but suck it up and grow a spine, Jaxom.

Jaxom thinks the situation should end soon, today the Benden Weyrleaders (eeee, plural. That better mean Lessa, not fucking F'nor) will decide if Ruth is strong enough to carry Jaxom in flight, and they'll be free to fly away from Jaxom's taunting "milkbrother".

Seriously, dude. You're the Lord of a fucking Hold.

Anyway, N'ton makes conversation, pointing out that Ruth isn't really white. Ruth's hide actually seems to contain ripples and shadows of brown, gold, blue and green. N'ton thinks that Ruth is more all dragon shades rather than none. He thinks Ruth is beautifully proportioned too and while small, is a "finelooking fellow"

I kind of love N'ton. This could read very condescending, but it doesn't.

N'ton also teases Jaxom a little, referring to a time when apparently Jaxom had had to call on N'ton to help after he overfed Ruth (believing that if he fed him more, Ruth would grow to match his clutchmates).

Hmm.

1) I'm not sure how I feel about this bit. Jaxom, in Dragonquest, was 11 or 12 years old, and fairly articulate in his thoughts and reasoning. It's hard to believe that kid would be dumb enough to overfeed his dragon (or that Lytol would let them). Maybe 6 year old F'lessan might have believed it, but not Jaxom.

2) N'ton is so great.

We do have a time frame now. Ruth was Impressed a little more than a Turn (year) before. N'ton thinks that he must have reached his full growth by now, which saddens Jaxom a bit, but N'ton consoles him, saying that Ruth is bigger than a runner beast by half a head, and runner beasts can be ridden for hours without tiring. He also notes that Jaxom isn't a "heavyweight" like Dorse.

...love the fatphobia. I'm choosing to blame McCaffrey though, because N'ton is awesome so far, especially for this:

"So he is a proper dragon, isn't he?"

N'ton stared at Jaxom. Then he put both hands on the boy's shoulders. "Yes, Jaxom, Ruth is a proper dragon, for all he's half the size of his fellows! And he'll prove it today when he flies you! So let's get you and him back to the Hold. You've got to get yourself fancied up to match his beauty!"

The narrative then discusses Ruatha Hold, which will be Jaxom's when he comes of age "or when his guardian, Lord Lytol, former weaverjourneyman, former dragonrider, decided that he was wise enough, that is."

Hmm. I'm not sure I like this tone toward Lytol, the best male character in the first two books, and the series, Jaxom. Jaxom also notes that he has to get past the other Lord Holders' objections to his inadvertent Impression of the halfsized dragon, Ruth.

I have an issue with this too, to be honest. I believe someone can ride a dragon AND rule a Hold, but I feel like that ruler should be LESSA. It annoys me that no one brings her up in this argument. Or Felessan, who hasn't Impressed a dragon yet, but should have as much a claim as Jaxom.

Jaxom notes that by Impressing Ruth, he'd caused all kinds of problems for the Benden Weyrleaders, F'lar and Lessa (YAY), and the Lord Holders, and Jaxom himself. He has to stay Lord Holder, or every younger Holdless son of every Lord would "fight to the death to fill that vacancy".

...why? Felessan is literally right there? They may be assuming it's a guarantee that F'lar and Lessa's only child will Impress a dragon, but still.

And then there's Lytol:

The worst problem he had caused was to the man he desperately wanted most to please, his guardian. Lord Lytol. Had Jaxom only paused a moment to think before he jumped onto the hot sands of Benden's Hatching Ground to help break the tough shell for the little white dragon, he'd have realized what anguish he would bring to Lord Lytol by a constant reminder of what the man had lost at the death of his brown Larth. Never mind if Larth had died Turns before Jaxom's birth at Ruatha Hold, that tragedy was vividly, cruelly fresh in Lytol's mind, or so everyone told Jaxom repeatedly. If this was so, Jaxom often wondered, why then hadn't Lytol protested when the Weyrleaders and Lord Holders agreed that Jaxom must try to raise the little dragon at Ruatha?

...you won me over a bit at the beginning, Jaxom, but you're starting to lose me with that tone again at the end. Lytol can both be in a great deal of pain AND suck it up and do his fucking job. I know you're a kid, Jaxom, so I'm cutting you slack for now, but you are On Notice.

N'ton asks an interesting question, namely how many fosterlings are at Ruatha. None. N'ton is concerned about Jaxom's socialization actually, he's thinking that Jaxom accompanying Lytol to other Holds may not be enough, and he doesn't appear to think much of Dorse. (Dorse is not a weyrbrat after all. I think "milkbrother" is probably a term for the child of the wetnurse that tended Jaxom. Which makes the idea of Jaxom being bullied by him seem even sillier. He's a peasant, kid.).

He asks after F'lessan, who has gotten the apostrophe in his name. I HOPE he's only doing that as an honorific to F'lar and Lessa, because if a six year old ended up Impressing a dragon, I will be fucking furious. I'm horrified enough that F'lar Impressed Mnementh at 13.

When N'ton asks after F'lessan, Jaxom starts getting anxious, that N'ton knows they snuck onto the Hatching Ground. Jaxom still fears that by touching the egg when he did, he somehow claimed Ruth. For his part, N'ton remains cryptic.

Then we meet N'ton's fire lizard, Tris, who likes Ruth a lot. Apparently all fire lizards do. Jaxom asks N'ton why, but N'ton doesn't have an answer. He thinks maybe it's just his size, the fire lizards can see him without having to back far up.

So now we see more of Jaxom's anxieties. Apparently Dorse had taunted Jaxom as long as he could remember, even though he was never once mentioned in Dragonquest. Apparently before Ruth, Jaxom would hide in the darker recesses of the Hold away from him, but he can't now. Jaxom feels like he owes Dorse, because if Deelan hadn't given birth to Dorse a few days before Jaxom, Jaxom would be dead. Apparently Dorse, taller and heavier, made sure he got the best part of anything Jaxom has.

Fucking seriously?

Jaxom IS A LORD. He's a Lord of a hotly contested realm. And it's not like he's raised in isolation like King Arthur. And we're seriously supposed to believe that this peasant kid can bully him like this. Even if Jaxom DOES feel guilty, there's no servant or anyone who'll notice and report to Lytol, or the Weyr?

Obviously there's satisfaction in seeing a bullied kid rise above his tormentors, but it's really hard to buy that this LORD FROM BIRTH, who HAS A FUCKING DRAGON, is a bullied kid. Come on now.

Lytol, by the way, remains awesome, as we're told that once Ruth got too large to enter the traditional Lord Holder's apartment, Lytol refurbished the old stables (with a vaulted ceiling) into sleeping quarters and a work room for Jaxom, and a fine spacious Weyr for Ruth. Mastersmith Fandarel made the doors and they're ingenuously designed that even a slightly built lad and awkward hatchling can manage them.

So again, Jaxom is a LORD FROM BIRTH, who lives IN THE CASTLE, so to speak, who the reigning Regent is clearly taking good care of, and the fucking Mastercraftsmen of the ENTIRE WORLD is building stuff for.

And you want me to buy that he's this poor bullied kid? REALLY? (Honestly, McCaffrey did a much better job with this kind of set up with the Rowan, where the titular child was NOT bullied in her day to day life, and instead clashed with her adversary on a vacation where there wasn't as much strict supervision. That actually makes sense.)

Apparently everyone is cleaning frantically for Lessa's visit, and I love this. F'lar might be the Weyrleader and all, but to Jaxom's Milkmother, and others, Lessa is the only fullblooded Ruathan left and is VERY IMPORTANT.

I love that. Lessa should get ALL the accolades.

Jaxom wishes he could take a hot bath, but he doesn't think he has time before the Weyrleaders arrive, and oh my god, that S makes me happy everytime I see it. For all that F'lar is an asshole, and he is, I do appreciate that he kept his promise. Lessa is as important as he is, and they're mentioned TOGETHER with EQUAL importance.

So anyway, Jaxom gets ready. He starts getting nervous that N'ton was wrong, maybe F'lar and Lessa will decide to wait a few more months, maybe Ruth WON'T be able to fly him, maybe he'll hurt Ruth.

Ruth interjects at the last, insisting that Jaxom couldn't hurt him, he's his friend. I notice that Ruth seems a lot more vocal than either Ramoth or Mnementh. That's interesting.

So everyone is listed:

F'lar and Lessa, as the chief dragonriders, were the most important guests. F'nor, brown Canth's rider and mate of the sad Brekke, was also present but he was a good friend to Jaxom. N'ton, of course, was there since he was Fort's Weyrleader and Ruatha was beholden to Fort Weyr. Master Robinton as Harper of Pern was here and, beside him, Jaxom was glad to see Menolly, the Harper girl who had often been his champion. Jaxom reluctantly admitted the right of Lord Sangel of South Boll and Lord Groghe of Fort to be present as representatives of the Holders.

At first Jaxom couldn't see Lord Lytol. Then Finder moved to say something to Menolly and Jaxom spotted his guardian. He hoped Lytol would really look at Ruth this once, if never again.

I have Opinions.

1) Chief dragonriders. <3 And most important guests.

2) Hey look, more F'nor shilling. When have we ever seen or heard of F'nor interacting with Jaxom at all? They've never even spoken.

To paraphrase a better piece of literature: Stop trying to make F'nor happen.

3) "the sad Brekke". You mean marrying her rapist didn't magically make things better for her. I'm aghast.

4) I'm strangely offended that N'ton is listed as being there out of obligation, while F'nor is described as a "good friend". Yet again, F'nor is getting credit for the shit N'ton actually does.

5) Hey Menolly. Since when were you Jaxom's champion? Though I should be fair here. Dragondrums is supposed to take place before this book. And I'm going against advice by reading this first. So okay. Maybe that's going to get established then. I won't complain further, but you're on thin ice, Menolly.

6) Dude, stop being a dick to Lytol. He made you an entire fucking apartment for your dragon. If he can't look at Ruth, that's his fucking business.

But hey, Lessa!

Extending one hand in greeting towards Ruth, Lessa smiled at Jaxom as she stepped down to welcome him. "Ruth has filled out a great deal since last spring, Jaxom," she said, her manner reassuring as well as appreciative. "But you ought to eat more. Lytol, does Deelan never feed the child? He's nothing but bones."

It is good to see Lessa being so comfortable with Jaxom. I liked that she had ambiguous feelings about him early on, but it's also good to see growth. Jaxom, for his part, is realizing that he's taller than Lessa now. (I swear to god, Lessa shrinks every book). She mentions F'lessan, and Jaxom is self-conscious. Then F'lar comes up:

"Nonsense, Jaxom, stand up to your inches," F'lar said, coming up beside his weyrmate. His attention was centered on Ruth, and the white dragon raised his head slightly to be at eye level with the tall Weyrleader. "You've made more hands of height, Ruth, than I'd have given you at your Hatching! You've done well by your friend. Lord Jaxom." The Benden Weyrleader put a slight emphasis on the title as he turned his gaze from dragon to rider.

Jaxom winced, disliking the reminder of his equivocal position.

Oh, F'lar. I did miss your single focused assholism. <3 95% of focus on the dragon and the last 5% on political considerations.

F'lar and Lessa discuss Ruth's size, and Lessa asks Jaxon to ask Ruth to extend his wings. Lessa could, of course, ask Ruth directly, but she's giving Jaxom a courtesy that he appreciates.

Oh, and this bit:

"He's completely in proportion to himself," F'lar said, dipping under the wing to inspect the upper side of the broad, transparent membrane. "Oh, thank you, Ruth," he added as the white dragon obligingly tilted his wing. "I take it he's as eager to fly you as you are!"

"Yes, sir, because, sir, he is a dragon, and dragons all fly!"

The look F'lar shot him caused Jaxom to hold his breath, wondering if his quick answer had been too bold. When he heard Lessa laugh, he looked over at her. But she wasn't laughing at him, or at Ruth. Her eyes rested on her weyrmate. F'lar's right eyebrow arched as he grinned back at her. Jaxom felt they weren't aware of him or Ruth at all.

"Yes, dragons do fly, don't they, Lessa?" the Weyrleader said softly, and Jaxom realized they were sharing some private joke.

Insert heart emoji here. For all the flaws of the Pern series, and there are a lot, I do love Lessa and F'lar's relationship in these sequels. Now that she's stopped tacking on the rape and abuse that felt out of place in Dragonflight, she's allowing the parts that actually worked (their camaraderie and mutual understanding) to shine.

I love that they have private jokes like this.

The dragons have opinions too:

"What does Ramoth say, Lessa?"

Lessa grimaced. "You know she's always said Ruth would do well."

F'lar glanced first at N'ton, who grinned, and then at F'nor, who shrugged acquiescence. "It's unanimous, Jaxom. Mnementh doesn't understand why we're all making such a fuss. Mount then, lad." F'lar stepped forward as if to give Jaxom a leg up to the neck of the white dragon.

I realize it's irrational, but it annoys me that F'nor is here. He's not a Weyrleader. He's a "humble" brown rider, or so the narrative kept telling us. But he still gets all the perks of being bronze. And I remember F'nor foisting blame onto the brother that constantly includes him in decision making. So...

Sorry, I still hold a grudge. F'nor hasn't even done anything wrong in this book.

Jaxom apparently is torn between pleasure and indignation. It's an honor having the Weyrleader of all Pern (DAMN has F'lar moved up in the world) assist him, but he's annoyed to think F'lar thinks he needs the assistance.

Goddamnit kid, take the honor.

So Jaxom gets on, and nerves start to hit, but he sees N'ton grin, Robinton and Menolly salute, and F'lar gives the tradition rising signal and...

They fly! Yay!

The fire lizards all swirl about. The dragons bugle encouragement. Ruth tells us that Ramoth and Mnementh are very happy to see Jaxom on Ruth's back at last. Aw.

I am very interested in potential dragon family dynamics. Because it hasn't really come up before, but it certainly SOUNDS like Ramoth and Mnementh are proud parents here. Ruth says he's happy, and then almost plaintively asks if Jaxom is happier now.

Aw.

They fly, happily. Ramoth apparently gives some pointers through Ruth, telling Jaxom to grip with his legs more tightly. (Jaxom was afraid of interfering with Ruth's breathing.) Too soon, they're ordered to land. They don't want Ruth to strain himself and promise he can fly a little farther every day.

They're excited, though a slight mishap that throws Jaxom forward onto Ruth's neckridge makes them realize that yeah, they've still got a bit to learn.

So they land. F'lar, F'nor and N'ton are all approving. The Harper though is thoughtful. Lord Sangel is frowning, and Lytol, oh poor Lytol, has no expression at all.

Jaxom could discern no expression at all on the face of Lord Lytol. That dulled Jaxom's pride in their achievement. How he had hoped that today of all days he might receive some flicker of approval, some kindly response from his guardian.

He never forgets Larth, Ruth said in his softest tone.

Oh, Lytol.

So F'lar looks over Ruth for signs of stress, noting that Ruth seems unbothered. F'nor gives some constructive advice: keep the straps on until they're used to each other, and grabs Jaxom's forearm. A greeting of equals.

(I rather do like the contrast here. F'lar as singularly focused on the dragon, his health and wellbeing. F'nor giving the acknowledgment to the rider and the advice to follow. It makes me wish we'd gotten a bit more of the brothers acting in concert in either of the previous books.)

Meanwhile, Lessa is quite loudly correcting Sangel, saying there was never any doubt that Ruth could fly, they were just waiting until full growth. (F'nor winks at Jaxom, N'ton grimaces, and F'lar raises his eyes upward for patience. Jaxom realizes that the fact that they're sharing these reactions with him is an indication that he's one of them, basically.)

F'lar does give some authoritative instructions though: Jaxom isn't to fly all over the world tomorrow. No between yet. Daily flight exercises. And N'ton will have a slate of drills. F'lar reminds Jaxom of a tragedy at High Reaches where a weyrling got dashed to death on a mountain slope because he overflew his dragon.

Ugh, more bullying. Apparently Dorse and his friends, hearing about it, never let Jaxom forget it. Jaxom, you ARE A LORD WITH A FUCKING DRAGON.

I truly don't mean to make light of bullying, but Jesus Christ. There are ways to show Jaxom as an unhappy boy in his circumstances without trying to pretend he doesn't have every advantage in the world.

Suddenly things get interestingly tense between F'lar, N'ton and F'nor. The gist of it is that F'lar doesn't appear to be in favor of the idea of Jaxom going between at any point in the near future. N'ton is enthusiastic about training Jaxom, including in-between when they're ready. F'nor and the dragons back him up. F'lar's concern appears to be more about politics than Jaxom's specific responsibility, as F'nor points out that it's not for Lord Holders to decide. Ruth is a Benden Dragon.

F'lar eventually gives in, noting that Jaxom would probably try it on his own anyway, "being of Ruathan Blood".

N'ton interjects though that Jaxom wouldn't try such a thing on his own. In fact, he thinks, Lytol has done his job too well. F'lar wants an explanation, but is interrupted by the man himself.

"Lord Jaxom, if you would settle your friend in his quarters, and then join us all in the Hall?" The Lord Warder bowed politely to everyone. A muscle in his face started to twitch as he quickly turned and walked back to the steps.

He could have said something then ... if he'd wanted to, Jaxom thought, staring sadly at his guardian's broad back.

Aw. I do feel for Jaxom here. And I genuinely am of the opinion that even when an adult has very legitimate issues, he has the responsibility to do the best he can with them for the child's well being. But I also really do think that Lytol IS doing everything he can here. Brekke lost her dragon and was pretty much catatonic. She's still "sad". Kylara is insane. The fact that Lytol is present and functioning and able to raise a child (a child with a fucking dragon) is amazing.

So N'ton praises Jaxom. Robinton asks about Benden wine, and there is banter about his alcoholic tendencies. Jaxom watches everyone go in, and is amused by an aerial display by the fire lizards (and god, Lytol can't even get away from fucking fire lizards, poor guy). He hopes that Dorse and his cronies had witnessed every moment, and notes that Dorse would have to be more careful now that Jaxom is going to fly between.

Versus when Jaxom is the eventual Lord of the fucking Hold? Really?

But Jaxom is thrilled that they're going to be able to fly and go anywhere they want. He shares a moment, then goes inside, "somehow reluctant to join festivities at which the real guest of honor must be absent."

Warned by the shrieks of the firelizards, Robinton moved quickly to flatten himself against the righthand leaf of the great metal doors, then put his hands across his face as a shield. He'd been caught too often in frantic firelizard fairs not to take precautions. Generally speaking, however, the firelizards at the Harper Hall, thanks to Menolly's teachings, were well behaved. He smiled as he heard Lessa's exclamation of surprise and dismay. After he had felt the wind of their passing, he remained where he was and, sure enough, the fair swept back through the doorway. He heard Lord Groghe call his little queen, Merga, to order. Then his own Zair found him and, scolding as if Robinton had deliberately tried to hide from him, the little bronze firelizard settled on his padded left shoulder.

a. Oh hai, needless shilling of Menolly. I didn't miss you. Look, yes, Menolly is a great fire lizard trainer, but that's not really relevant here. This is starting to remind me of Julian May. (Parnell is a big brute, not massively elegant like his cousin Marc!)

b. I love that Lessa dislikes fire lizards. it's my favorite trait.

c. It is good to see Groghe and his little queen again.

d. Also, wouldn't SOME of those misbehaving fire lizards be Menolly's? Given that she's here and all. If Zair and Merga are here, I doubt Beauty and company stayed behind. Where is that teaching then?

So we slip into Robinton's point of view. Robinton almost wishes that Jaxom hadn't been allowed to fly Ruth. Lord Sangel is vehemently against the youngster enjoying dragonrider prerogatives. Why?

I'm not saying Sangel doesn't have a good reason. He might. I'd like to know what it is. Sangel isn't the only hostile Lord, though Robinton has been working on Groghe, who he considers smarter than Sangel. He owns a fire lizard, and thus is more sympathetic. Robinton can't remember if Sangel didn't want or had been unable to Impress a fire lizard himself.

A fire lizard is not a moral judgment, dude. Remember, Meron has one.

So anyway, Robinton watches Jaxom and Ruth, he perceives an aura of innocence and vulnerability, of dependence and protection for each other. That's a little creepy dude.

And oh for fuck's sake:

Jaxom had entered the world at a decided disadvantage, torn from his dead mother's body, with his father fatally wounded in a duel a halfhour later. Bearing in mind what N'ton and Finder had disclosed to him just before Jaxom's flight, Robinton was annoyed with himself for not keeping a closer check on the boy. Lytol was not so stiff that he wouldn't take a hint, especially if it were for Jaxom's sake. But Robinton had so many claims on his time and his thinking, even with Menolly and Sebell in his confidence and as his devoted aides. Zair cheeped and brushed his head against the Harper's chin.

1) STOP TRYING TO TELL ME THAT JAXOM WAS 'DISADVANTAGED' WHEN HE WAS HANDED A KINGDOM AT THE MOMENT OF HIS BIRTH

2) I do appreciate the acknowledgement that Lytol would try for Jaxom. Lytol just needs help sometimes because he's traumatized and wounded himself.

3) And I snarkily think Robinton hasn't managed to be competent at anything for a long time and maybe should delegate more so that he is. (Hi Sebell mention!)

F'lar calls Robinton in to rejoin the group. There's a random moment with Menolly:

His eyes caught Menolly's and she gave him the barest wink, completely at her ease now in such prestigious company. Like the little white dragon, she was ready to fly on her own. She had certainly come a long Turn from the unsure, unappreciated girl of an isolated SeaHold. He really must get her out of the Harper Hall now and on her own.

Well, you did make her a journeyman at the end of Dragonsinger dude.

Also, it's only been a fucking year. In your own words.

So there's a big production about the wine, apparently Robinton has a party trick where he can tell the date of the bottle. And I kind of resent wasting time on this when we could be talking about more interesting things. It does make Lytol do something that sounds "suspiciously like a chuckle".

Robinton's triumph also makes F'lar joke that he could never have borne the loss of Robinton's reputation.

So anyway, they do start talking about relevant things soon enough. Sangel feels like he's been mislead, since at his Hatching there was an implication that Ruth wouldn't survive. That's why he didn't protest at the time.

Lessa is irked, while F'lar plays diplomat, noting that they've plenty of large dragons and Ruth will never have to fight.

Sangel's real issue is that there are plenty of trained, Blooded men who can take the Hold. But Lessa shuts that down real fast:

"Not with Ruathan Blood," Lessa said, her gray eyes flashing. "The whole point of my relinquishing my blood right to this Hold when I became Weyrwoman was to cede it to the one remaining male with any Ruathan Blood in his veins, Jaxom! As long as I live, I will not permit Ruatha, of all the Holds on Pern, to be the prize for continent wide blood duels among younger sons. Jaxom remains as Lord Holder elect of Ruatha; he will never be a fighting dragonrider."

Sangel WISELY doesn't challenge Lessa here, but he does bring up the weyrling at High Reaches.

F'lar promises that Jaxom's riding will be controlled at all times and he'll never fly thread. Lytol asserts that Jaxom is naturally cautious and he's made him aware of his responsibilities. N'ton's wince causes F'lar to return to the topic that they'd been interrupted by.

I love that F'lar is enough of an asshole to bring this up with Lytol in the room. For his part, N'tol is gracefully diplomatic, but clear. He's concerned that Jaxom is isolated.

Lytol asks if Dorse has been nagging him again. Which emphasizes again how utterly stupid the entire plotline is. But it does show us how awesome Lytol is.

Apparently LYTOL had pressed F'lar to allow Jaxom to fly, because then he'd be able to visit Holds that have boys his age and rank.

Lytol is the best character in this series. He really is. And while intellectually I understand that Jaxom is young and vulnerable and can't possibly know this, I still resent him for not appreciating Lytol enough.

Anyway, the subject of fosterings comes up. Lytol doesn't have any. He HAD been planning to foster Jaxom out for a half year when the boy Impressed. Lessa's also not on board with the plan, since Jaxom is the last of the bloodline. (*cough* F'lessan *cough*)

Happily, the issue actually turns out to be a misunderstanding. Lytol had mistakenly believed that fostering needed to be reciprocated, and he couldn't. Groghe is pretty awesome:

"Tis not," Lord Groghe said, clapping Lytol on the shoulder. "In fact, it's a blessing not to. I've a lad Jaxom's age to be fostered. Be a relief not to have to take another boy back. When I see what you've done to put Ruatha back on its feet and so prosperous, Lytol, the lad would learn from you how to Hold properly. That is, if there should be anything for him to Hold when he gets his majority."

This leads Sangel to bring up another question. What are Lord Holders supposed to do with their younger sons. There are no more Holds to manage.

Oh come the fuck on. Pern has been a feudal society for thousands of years. This can't possibly be a new problem. Teach your fucking offspring a trade or something.

But no, what they really want is the Southern Continent. Toric's set up there, others could be too. Lessa points out that the Oldtimers are there, but Groghe knows that and agrees that it's the best place for them.

Anyway though, the Southern Continent is attractive, especially since the grubs can protect the ground even if the Dragonriders don't do anything. F'lar asks if Groghe has ever been outside during a Threadfall. Groghe denies it emphatically, then sees F'lar's point. The grubs protect the ground, not anything in between.

But they still want a solution. And F'lar is at a loss. WHY is this F'lar's job anyway? F'lar commands the dragons (with Lessa of course) and they're doing awesomely. Why are people suddenly coming to them with domestic concerns?

But Robinton has an idea: one of Groghe's younger sons had a cool idea for improving some harvesting equipment, and he ended up training with the Smiths and bringing a few of his fellows. THANK YOU. Get these idiots a trade!

Robinton's idea is similar: get young people from all over so they can exchange ideas.

F'lar and Lessa are in sync again:

"In truth, Lord Groghe, we're by no means against expanding holds in the Southern," F'lar said. "It's just that . . ."

"The time must be chosen," Lessa finished when he faltered. There was a curious gleam in her eyes that suggested to the Harper she had other reservations as well.

"We'll not have to wait until the end of this Pass, I hope," Sangel said peevishly.

"No, just until we are in no danger of dishonoring our word," F'lar said. "If you'll think back, the Weyrs have agreed to explore the Southern Continent ..."

"The Weyrs agreed to get rid of Thread and the Red Star, too," Sangel said, irritated now.

"F'nor here and Canth still bear the scars of that Star," Lessa reminded him, indignant at having the Weyrs criticized.

I love their back and forth support of each other. <3.

I also love how Sangel backs down IMMEDIATELY from Lessa.

They discuss additional issues: reading records with possible miscopying. Robinton wishes for more people who know the discipline. Lytol actually wants Jaxom to have some training with copying documents.

Groghe doesn't want Lytol to back out of hosting his son though, so a compromise is found. Jaxom will have other boys fostered at home, and learn skills with others of different rank and background.

Finally, Jaxom enters. Lessa asks after Ruth and tells him that other things have been settled too. She calls him kinsman which is sweet.

And so Jaxom gets the happy news that he'll be getting some friends and going to Harper Hall and the chapter ends.

So it's a decent beginning. I love seeing F'lar and Lessa again. F'nor wasn't that bad. I especially liked that we got to see elements of disagreements where NO ONE IS WRONG. Sangel is a cartoon character so far, but Groghe's got enough development that he's allowed to reasonably disagree. The tension between N'ton and F'lar was interesting too, because the two men clearly respect each other.

Jaxom is a bit annoying, but he's a little kid. I'm looking forward to seeing him as an adult.

The only real problem is that McCaffrey seems determined to create this underdog narrative for a guy who is anything but. I'm sorry, but a kid who was made the Lord of a kingdom at BIRTH is NOT disadvantaged. He has a guardian figure who, while flawed, loves him very much. He's on friendly terms with the Weyrleaders of Pern, the Craftsmasters, other Lords...HE HAS A FUCKING DRAGON.

It's fine that Jaxom isn't disadvantaged. He's not a bad kid. He's still got challenges to face and things to prove. But stop trying to pretend he is. It's fucking insulting.